For the first time, the senior transfer from Southern Cal was able to participate in a practice knowing that he had been fully cleared to play his final college season as a Buffalo.

A 10.4 100-meter sprinter in high school, Patterson undoubtedly becomes the fastest player on the squad. Although he couldnâ€™t don full pads Tuesday along with other players, Patterson showed that burst during several receiving and returning drills.

â€śThis was great,â€ť Patterson said following the 2-hour workout. â€śItâ€™s been frustrating the last few days. I wasnâ€™t able to be out here with my team, and thatâ€™s kind of frustrating. But Iâ€™m finally cleared. Iâ€™m ready to roll. I had faith that I was good.â€ť

Patterson, 5-feet-9 and 175 pounds, was eligible to transfer from Southern Cal to another major-college program without having to sit out a transfer year because USC faces NCAA sanctions that include a bowl game.

Patterson arrived in Boulder in late July. But he sat out the first four practices because Colorado had to wait on approval of Pattersonâ€™s transfer by Pac-10 schools, now that CU is already considered a member of that conference although the Buffs will not begin a Pac-10 schedule until 2011 or 2012.

Stuck on the Trojans depth chart behind bluechippers, Patterson caught just 10 passes in three seasons at USC. â€śI canâ€™t look back at that; I have to look forward,â€ť Patterson said.

â€śI need to get in (football) shape,â€ť he added. â€śOnce I get in shape, as I get more familiar with the offense and get my technique, Iâ€™ll be alright.â€ť

Terry Frei graduated from Wheat Ridge High School in the Denver area and has degrees in history and journalism from the University of Colorado-Boulder. He worked for the Rocky Mountain News while attending CU and joined the Post staff after graduation. He has also worked at the Oregonian in Portland, Ore., and The Sporting News. His seventh book, March 1939: Before the Madness, was issued in February 2014.